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Evelyn J. Frazier papers

 Collection
Identifier: aarl001-008

Scope and Content Note

The Evelyn J. Frazier Papers, 1939-2005, document Frazier's business, civic, educational, and political activities through artifacts, awards, business licenses and records, correspondence, certificates, contracts, datebooks, diplomas, ephemera, invitations, news clippings, photographs, postcards, programs, scrapbooks, and various printed materials. Detailed series descriptions provide specific information about inclusive dates and formats.

Dates

  • 1939-2005

Creator

Restrictions on Use

This collection is available for use only on the second floor (Archives Division) of the Auburn Avenue Research Library. There are no restrictions on research use of the collection, but permission must be obtained for reproductions of materials for which the Research Library does not hold copyright to researcher only for "Fair Use" as defined in the copyright law (Title 17, United States Code). Also permission must be obtained to publish reproductions from materials for which the Research Library does hold copyright for one time use only.

Copyright Restrictions

Prior permission from the Research Library must be obtained in writing before any portion of this collection can be published or reproduced.

Biographical Sketch

Evelyn Jones was born on March 21, 1912 in Raleigh, North Carolina. She attended the Berry O'Kelly Training School in Method, North Carolina for both primary and high school, graduating in May 1932. Two months later, Jones moved to Atlanta, Georgia. After brief employment as a nanny and domestic, she entered the restaurant business in 1935 as the business partner of Mrs. Mary Ola Martin, who owned the Chicamauga Cafeteria. A year later Jones and her sister Prentice started the Evelyn Jones Cafe.

In 1940 Evelyn Jones married Luther Frazier, who joined her in the restaurant business. By the mid 1940s, the Frazier's expanded their popular restaurant at 880 West Hunter Street (now Martin Luther King Jr. Drive), renaming it Frazier's Cafe Society. Over the next couple of decades, Evelyn J. Frazier sought opportunities to further her education and hone her business skills. In 1952 she graduated with a bachelor's degree from Morris Brown College, and, later, earned a certificate for personnel training for restaurants.

During the mid twentieth century, Frazier's Cafe Society became a regular meeting place for well known African American civic, political, and religious organizations in Atlanta. During the Civil Rights movement, for example, members of the NAACP and SNCC frequented the restaurant, as did prominent individuals. Among them were Dr. Benjamin Mays, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and Thurgood Marshall. A respected business, Frazier's Cafe Society served as a social space for students from Spelman College, as well as various women's clubs.

In addition to running the Frazier's Cafe Society, Evelyn J. Frazier was involved in various civic and political organizations. Throughout the late 1940s to early 1970s she volunteered for the American Cancer Society and the United Negro College Fund, and was a member of the NAACP Executive Board, Atlanta Chapter of the Association of Negro Business and Professional Women Clubs Inc., and the Morris Brown College National Alumni Association. A member of the Metropolitan Atlanta Republican Women's Club for 22 years, Frazier also was involved in the Republican Party at the national level. President Nixon appointed her to the Advisory Board for Minority Women's Group in 1970; and during the Ford Administration, she served on the Special Minority Committee.

For her business, civic, and leadership contributions, Evelyn J. Frazier received numerous awards and honors. In 1961, WAOK radio station cited her as an Outstanding Business and Civic Leader, and the Iota Phi Lambda Sorority selected Frazier as the Bronze Woman of the Year. Five years later, she received the Outstanding Citizen's Award from WERD Radio Station and the Atlanta Federal Savings and Loan Association. In the 1970's, Frazier was the recipient of a Hugh Down's Public Service Award. Decades later, in 2005, the National African American Culinary Arts and Hospitality Association honored Frazier for her impact on the African American community. On September 3, 2007, Evelyn Jones Frazier died in Atlanta, Georgia.

Extent

6.5 Linear feet

Language

English

Overview

The Evelyn J. Frazier Papers, 1939-2005, document Frazier's business, civic, educational, and political activities through artifacts, correspondence, certificates, diplomas, licenses, ephemera, news clippings, photographs, scrapbooks, and various printed materials. In addition to owning and operating Frazier's Cafe Society, Frazier was involved locally and nationally with numerous institutions and organizations, including the Association of Negro Business and Professional Women's Clubs, Morris Brown College, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Republican Party.

Provenance

The collection was donated to the Auburn Avenue Research Library in 2008.

Processing Information

Processed by Nicole Carmolingo, Wesley Chenault, Grace Lynis Dubinson, Kerrie Cotten Williams Completed in 2009

Title
Inventory of the Evelyn J. Frazier Papers aarl001-008aarl001-008
Author
Finding aid prepared by Finding aid prepared by Auburn Avenue Research Library on African American Culture and History
Date
2009 January 19
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History Repository

Contact:
101 Auburn Avenue NE
Atlanta GA 30303
404-613-4032